FIGHT boss Tommy Gilmour last night denied his Road to Glasgow show was a front for poaching top amateurs.

The cream of Scotland’s unpaid boxers will go head to head with the best from England at St Andrew’s Sporting Club on February 20.

It’s a new venture for Gilmour who is better known for promoting world champions but he insists the motive is to showcase the rising stars aiming for Commonwealth Games glory – not lure them into his pro stable.

And last night Gilmour said: “I am not out to poach any of them – you can take that as a guarantee.

“People in this business know my name and know where to find me. They know I have never poached fighters and it would be shameful if that was my motive.

“My only motive is Glasgow 2014. It is because of Glasgow I got an MBE and because of Glasgow I received the Lord Provost’s silver medal.

“I want to give something back. Without good amateurs we will not have a healthy professional game.

“Boxers don’t have to turn pro to be well looked after. For example, Josh is now in Sheffield being financed to train. Amateur boxing is being taken seriously now and the boys are putting their hearts and souls into it.

“We sponsored the kit for the boys who fought at the Edinburgh Games in 1986.

“Did I poach any of them? No, because that is not my style and the lads know it.”

Amateur Boxing Scotland chairman Richard Thomas backed Gilmour when he said: “I have a close working relationship with Tommy and there is no suspicion he is out to poach amateurs.

CHALLENGE

“He knows enough about amateurs, coaches and gyms and poaching wouldn’t be a challenge. He doesn’t have to bring them here.”

Meanwhile, Gilmour confirmed Willie Limond has dropped plans for a comeback on the undercard of Lee McAllister’s Euro title fight in Aberdeen on February 25.

The 33-year-old failed to take the British lightweight crown from Anthony Crolla in November and boss Gilmour said: “Willie has a living to earn outside the ring as a joiner and hasn’t been able to train sufficiently.”